Garment retention device

ABSTRACT

A garment retention device has a first segment having a first terminal end. A second segment is provided having a second terminal end, wherein the first segment and the second segment are attached to one another, wherein the first terminal end is separated from the second terminal end by at least two curves, where each of the at least two curves has a trough.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of garment retention devices.More particularly to a device for retaining the bottom of a pant legabove the ground.

2. Description of Related Art

A person's style is generally a visual representation of their characteror how they wish to be perceived by the world. Clothing is used torepresent the person's style through the various shapes, colors,textures, and cuts. Aside from style, garments serve a more obviouspurpose of covering the person and/or providing warmth. Pants are wornbased on style of their utilitarian purpose of full coverage of theperson's lower extremities.

Whether it is style or simply a unique aspect of the particular brand ofpants, people often find themselves having to adjust the position of thegarment relative to their waist in order to prevent the bottom of thepant from contacting the ground. Such repositioning requires constantadjustment and repositioning throughout the time the pants are worn.

Where the user fails to properly readjust the pant leg, contact betweenthe bottom of the garment and the ground can result in damage to thegarment. Such damage may result in the garment no longer beingacceptable to wear. Tears, scuffs, or rips may be irreparable, or notfinancially appropriate to pair for such repairs as further damage wouldbe inevitable.

Currently without physical repositioning, the wearer of the pants isrequired to purchase such garments that are at a length that isphysically prohibited from contacting the ground. Such an obligationhinders the wearer's options for pant purchases and further limits theirability to properly represent themselves through the garments they wear.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a device that canprovide for constant prevention of contact between the bottom of thepant leg and the ground or other surface to prevent damage to the bottomof the pant leg. Further, a device is needed that, where it is visual,will not adversely effect the wearer's style.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garment retention device has a first segment having a first terminalend. A second segment is provided having a second terminal end, whereinthe first segment and the second segment are attached to one another,wherein the first terminal end is separated from the second terminal endby at least two curves, where each of the at least two curves has atrough.

In an embodiment, the first terminal end is biased inward toward amiddle portion, and wherein the second terminal end is biased inwardtoward the middle portion.

In an embodiment, one of the at least two curves receives a heel of ashoe, and wherein another of the at least two curved received a bottomedge of a garment.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises an attachment meansdisposed on the second segment, wherein the attachment means receives adecorative element.

In an embodiment, the attachment means is selected from the groupconsisting of a magnet, a clip, and a fastener, and wherein thedecorative element is releasably attached to the attachment means.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, willbe apparent from the following, more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings brieflydescribed as follows.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the garment retention device,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the garment retention device,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages maybe understood by referring to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like elements.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present application or of any further applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

A garment retention device has a first segment attached to a secondsegment. The first segment is defined by a terminal end and a curvedmember. The curved member of the first segment is generally U-shaped andconfigured to receive the heel portion of a wearer's shoe. The terminalend of the first segment is inserted into an interior of the shoe andthe U-shaped curved member has a trough engaging the top portion of theheel of the shoe. The curved member continues around to the exteriorsurface of the heel of the shoe and becomes the second segment at atrough of a U-shaped portion of the second segment. The second segmentalso has a terminal end extending upward to form the opposite arm of theU-shaped portion of the second segment.

FIG. 1 illustrates the terminal end 1 of the first segment is biasedtowards the opposite arm of the U-shape such that the terminal end ofthe first segment and the opposite arm of the first segment form afriction fit against the heel portion 5 of the shoe. The heel portion 5of the shoe is disposed within the U-shape of the first segment.

Similarly, FIG. 1 also illustrates the terminal end 3 of the secondsegment is biased towards the opposite arm of the U-shape. The trough 4of the second segment is cupped upward relative to the ground andopposite relative to the cup direction of the trough 2 of the firstsegment. The second segment is configured to receive the bottom of apant leg such that the terminal end of the second segment retains thebottom edge 7 (FIG. 2) of the pant leg within the U-shape of the secondsegment.

In an embodiment, the first segment and the second segment are comprisedof a continuous piece of material. The material used to construct thedevice requires resilience allowing the terminal ends to be pulled intoan open position to receive the heel of the shoe and/or the bottom edgeof the pant leg. After being opened and receiving their respectiveobject, the terminal ends must return to a biased positioned against theopposing arm of the U-shape for the respective segments.

In an embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates a space defined by the distancebetween the terminal end of the second segment and the trough of theU-shape receives a decorative element 10. The decorative element 10 isthereby visible as it is positioned on the outside of the bottom edge 7of the pant leg. In receiving the decorative element 10, the secondsegment further comprises an attachment means (not shown) correspondingto an attachment means of the decorative element. For example, theattachment means may provide for a magnet or a clip such that thedecorative element is positively connected to the second segment of thedevice.

In an embodiment, the decorative element is permanently affixed to thesecond segment.

In use, a wearer first opens the first segment by pulling against thebias of the terminal end and the opposite arm of the first segment. Thetrough of the U-shape is positioned with downward and the first segmentis slid over the heel portion of the shoe such that the terminal end iswithin the interior and contacting the interior surface of the shoe andthe opposite are is contacting a corresponding position on the exteriorsurface of the shoe. The wearer then repeats the process for theinverted second segment whereby the terminal end is pulled away from theopposite arm of the second segment and the bottom edge of the pant legis inserted into the second segment. The trough of the second segment iscupped in the opposite direction of the first segment to properlyreceive the bottom edge of the pant leg.

In an alternative embodiment, the user then predetermines the decorativeelement to be attached to the second segment. Once selected, thedecorative element is attached to the second segment via the attachmentmeans.

The device provides a positive engagement with the shoe and the bottomedge of the pant leg, simultaneously.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments forthe purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the inventioncan be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not beregarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosedherein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. A garment retention device comprising: a. a first segmenthaving a first terminal end; and b. a second segment having a secondterminal end, wherein the first segment and the second segment areattached to one another, wherein the first terminal end is separatedfrom the second terminal end by at least two curves, where each of theat least two curves has a trough.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst terminal end is biased inward toward a middle portion, and whereinthe second terminal end is biased inward toward the middle portion. 3.The device of claim 2, wherein one of the at least two curves receives aheel of a shoe, and wherein another of the at least two curved receiveda bottom edge of a garment.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprisingan attachment means disposed on the second segment, wherein theattachment means receives a decorative element.
 5. The device of claim4, wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting ofa magnet, a clip, and a fastener, and wherein the decorative element isreleasably attached to the attachment means.